The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-06-04
MATTHEW WHITE.
Democratic County Convention Tuesday
Afternoon a Close Contest.

The Democratic county convention Il
nominate county treasurer was held las
Tuesday afternoon, May 81, at 200 p. IN
The convention was called to order by MIR
j. II. Eckels, who stated that IN the absence
Of the chairman that duty had deyolve'
anon him. Mr.. Eckels made a few brle
and pointed remarks, read the call for tn,
meeting and called for nominations fol
chairman protein.
MIR. Michael OLaughlin, Of Brookfed
was nominated and elected. Mr.. Eckel
then appointed committee of two to escort
Dir. O'Laughlin to the chair, and upon being
presented to that gentleman on the stage
introduced him to the convention and re
tired.
Dir. o. Laughln briefly thanked the con
,ention for the honor conferred, and called
Tor nominations for secretary pro TEN. MIR.
P. ]. Carey Of Earlville was elected secreta
~ and was able to reach tho stage without
any assistance. The chairman then sug
gested that there would be need of two sec
setaries, and asked that an assistant secreta
sy protein be nominated This was done
Hr william Trabing Jr., was elected assis
tant secretary. A committee Of three on
credentials was then appointed by the chair
on motion of j. J. Sweeney, and consisted
sf Messrs. j. Sweeney of La Sale; V. b
Weeks, of Ottawa; and Alex Vaughey, of
Hanlis. A motion was then carried to call
Abe roll Of the towns, and have the chair.
man Of each delegation answer. The com.
aittee adjourned to the small room at the
rear of the gallery, to prepare list Of dele
gates entitled to vote.
While the committee WAS out, the chair
read the resignation Of Mr.. James H. Eckels
secretary Of the county central committee.
motion was made to lay Mr.. Eckels resig
nation on the table, but that gentleman arose
and insisted. He said that while member
Of the committee he had given more time
and more means to the party's interes, than
he could well afford lie had served upon
the committee to the best of his ability, but
be did not feel equal to the labor Of the
sOming presidential campaign, and must
msist upon his resignation. The gentleman
sho made the table motion then withdrew
Il and Mr.. Eckels resignation was accepted,
and Mr.. John g. Armstrong elected to his
place. A vote Of thanks was then rendered
G Mr.. Eckels by the convention for his long
9d efficient service upon the committee
rhe convention then took recess to allow
5pe for the credentials committee to prepare
heir report.
After long and very tedious delay the
committee announced their readiness, and
the chair called the convention to order at
little before four. The list Of delegates was
sead by the chairman of the committee
There was some contest in regard to the del
sgates from Otter Creek, but the committee
announced that VIM. Reddick and James
hulbury had right to seats in the convention.
The report of tie committee was concurred |
~, and accepted in full. The temporary
organization WAS then made permanent. |
The motion was made and put by Mr.. Geo
u Iiaight Of Ottawa. A motion was then
made to the effect that the convention en- |
so1er delegations short in numbers to cast
'he full vote to which their respective town
ships were entitled. An amendment was
made to allow the town Of Fall River to vote
by any gentleman present from that town
rhe chair put the amendment and the motion
~ one, and the whole thing was lost.
The convention then proceeded to the
aomnation of acounty treasurer. Charles
sOdman Of Eden was the first name pre-
ssnied. Then John c. Campbell of Bruce
@ose and in an able speech nominated
ban G. McKeon, Mr. Campbells remarks
seTe good, practical common sense, and
ssss heartily applauded. air IIaskins of
H. Salle also spoke in favor of Mr.. McKeon. |
Or Norton Of Earlyille likewise lent his |
ssice to the support of the courteous young
gentleman from Streator.
Geo. W ". Blake then arose and turned |
amself loose. Mr.. Blake is good speaker
anyway, and when he got to talking about
he many fine qualities of Matthew White
se grew eloquent. The name Of Mr.. White
cas- greeted with cheers, the same as that of
Nr. McKeon had been. Mr.. J. J. Conway
spoke at some length in Mr.. Whites sup
sort.
aon. +. Vaughey Of Seneca then arose and
mode the strongest and perhaps the most
Influential speech of the convention. lie
hit Mr.. hcKeon pretty hard, and supported
Af. White in round terms. A motion was
lhen made to allow Mr.. John Bordig Jr., TO
vote for Fall River. motion to table was
lost, and the motion was before the house,
sad there was then muss. Three or four
delegates rose TO points Of order, and there
Gas music in the air There was a motion
d reconsider, and one to appeal, and tho
fair. though evidently posted in parliamen
AIRY, was not quick enough for all Of these
notions and be got muddled. Then while